Urban planning in arid climates must overcome numerous nonclimatic constraints that often result in outdoor thermal discomfort. This is particularly evident in Béchar, a city in southern Algeria known for its long, intense summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 45 °C. This study investigates the influence of urban morphology on thermal comfort and explores architectural and digital solutions to enhance energy performance in buildings. This research focuses on Béchar’s city center, where various urban configurations were analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach that combines typomorphological and climatic analysis with numerical simulations (ENVI-met 3.0 and TRNSYS 16). The results show that shaded zones near buildings have lower thermal loads (under +20 W/m²), while open areas may reach +100 W/m². The thermal comfort rate varies between 22% and 60%, depending on wall materials and occupancy patterns. High thermal inertia materials, such as stone and compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs), reduce hot discomfort hours to under 1700 h/year but may increase cold discomfort. Combining these materials with targeted insulation improves thermal balance. Key recommendations include compact urban forms, vegetation, shading devices, and high-performance envelopes. Early integration of these strategies can significantly enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy demand in Saharan cities.

This study presents a numerical investigation of turbulent crude oil flows in circular curved pipelines, with a focus on the deposition patterns of solid particles within the fluid. Simulations were conducted using the Reynolds–Averaged Navier–Stokes equations coupled with the k–ε turbulence model to examine the influence of structural characteristics, such as bend curvature angle and bend curvature radius, on flow dynamics and particle deposition. The results reveal that the complex flow patterns generated by these geometric features significantly affect pressure gradients and particle trajectories. Specifically, the study shows that turbulent flows within bends exhibit intricate behaviors, with deposition patterns being strongly influenced by the pipeline’s geometric parameters. Sand particles, commonly present in petroleum flows, are found to be more effectively transported in pipes with larger curvature angles, while they exhibit a higher propensity to settle at smaller curvature angles and larger bend curvature radii. Furthermore, the simulations indicate that the majority of deposited particles accumulate on the inner wall immediately downstream of the elbow entrance.

The city of Bechar offers a compelling case study of Saharan urban development. Its origins lie in the ksar, a traditional settlement that embodies a remarkable architectural and social legacy. From the colonial period to the present day, Bechar has experienced significant urban expansion, producing a layered and diverse urban fabric. Within it, three main entities can be identified: the traditional ksourian fabric, the colonial fabric, and the post-colonial urban fabric. As the most visible dimension of any architectural expression, the façade plays a decisive role. Seen from the outside, it reflects the values and principles that informed the design of the built environment. At the same time, it conveys the functional logic and architectural essence of a building through its structure and constituent elements. Analyzing façades in Becharian architecture allows us to retrace both its historical evolution and its defining characteristics. This trajectory can be understood through three principal modes: traditional, colonial, and contemporary architecture. The traditional façade, typically marked by its austere and “blind” outward appearance, contrasts with the more ornate and expressive inner façades of ksourian houses—introverted designs that ensure both thermal comfort and the preservation of social privacy. Despite their apparent simplicity, these compositions testify to the ingenuity of Arab-Muslim builders. Colonial architecture introduced new stylistic currents shaped by modernist influences. In this context, architects sought to adapt design principles to the Saharan environment, often drawing inspiration from the introverted façades of ksourian tradition. Today’s façades reflect a hybrid language, combining elements of modern architecture with local cultural references and construction practices. The result is a composite and often eclectic architectural expression.